Newcastle United 2 West Ham United 0: Magpies stay up as Sissoko, Gutierrez sink Hammers

John Carver leads the celebrations on the Newcastle bench after survival was secured

Miles Starforth

Published:17:04Sunday 24 May 2015

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NEWCASTLE United secured their Premier League status this afternoon thanks to goals from Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez.

The pair gave John Carver’s side a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at St James’s Park.

And the result saw Newcastle – who hadn’t won since February 28 and were in danger of being relegated on the final day of the camapign – end the season in 15th place, a point above Sunderland.

Owner Mike Ashley had broken his long silence before the match.

The billionaire had insisted minutes before kick-off that the club was not for sale “at any price” – whatever Newcastle’s fate.

Ashley also pledged to “invest” in the squad in what was his first-ever interview as the club’s owner.

Sissoko and Gutierrez struck in the second half to condemn Hull City to the Championship.

Newcastle started well – the recalled Papiss Demba Cisse and Emmanuel Riviere had early chances – and Daryl Janmaat also shot wide in the 17th minute.

But Carver’s side, lacking ideas and inspiration in the final third of the pitch, lost momentum as the half wore on against a well-organised West Ham side, skippered by former Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan.

Janmaat headed a left-wing Jack Colback cross over Adrian’s goal in the 40th minute, and the half ended goalless.

Carver sent out an unchanged team for the second half, and the game’s best chance fell to Riviere in the 51st minute after Janmaat, set away by a clever ball from Vurnon Anita, broke down the right.

Janmaat beat his marker and delivered a low cross to Riviere a yard from goal, but somehow the striker didn’t even get a touch.